When times are tough, it’s the simple comforts in life that help to get us through. Kind words from friends, a hug from a loved one, a wholesome, tasty meal, the escapism of a favourite film or a good book.

We can put aromas in that category, too. Of all the five senses, scent works most immediately and most directly on our emotions. If you look into the science behind smell, you discover that our olfactory system (i.e. the receptors and nerves in our noses that allow us to smell) has a direct route to the limbic system in our brains, the part that controls memory and emotion. 

So fragrances can quite literally alter our mood, hence the term feel-good fragrances. It makes sense, therefore, that when we’re feeling stressed, anxious or down, we reach for aromas that uplift us with feelings of comfort and well-being.

Given the current troubles in the world, it’s not surprising that feel-good fragrances are in high demand again. A bottle of perfume or cologne might not fix the cost of living crisis or shield us from spiralling energy bills. But it will give us a little pick-me-up when

Feel-Good Fragrances

Certain aromas are particularly effective in raising our spirits. This knowledge has been central to the ancient art of aromatherapy for thousands of years. There are many ways to enjoy the benefits of feel-good fragrances – scented candles, incense, and putting drops of essential oils in a relaxing bath.

Or, you can carry the benefits around as you go about your day by wearing them as a perfume or any other type of fragrance product. Here are six of the best mood-enhancing aromas, and familiar fragrances you can find them in.

Citrus Fragrances

The citrus smells of lemon, lime, grapefruit and orange are among the most well-known of all mood-boosting aromas. The zingy freshness is energising and associated with inspiring positive thoughts and creativity. 

In the fragrance industry, one of the most popular citrus-smelling ingredients is bergamot, a variety of orange that produces fruit too sour and bitter to eat. But the aroma carries a pleasing sweetness to go with the zesty bitterness that works wonderfully in worn fragrances.

Stand-out examples of citrus-forward fragrances include La Labo Bergamote 22, Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin and Maison Margiela Replica Under The Lemon Tree.

Vanilla Fragrances

Another staple of the perfumier’s palette, vanilla has a creamy, comforting sweetness that is hard not to like. Its pleasing properties may also have a touch of nostalgia about them – how many of us looked forward to vanilla ice cream or custard as a treat when we were kids? Aromas play on our memories as well as our emotions, after all.

Popular perfumes that push vanilla notes to the fore include Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, Byredo Vanille Antique and Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Vitae Forte.

Ylang-Ylang Fragrances

Like vanilla, the signature impression you get from floral ylang-ylang is sweetness, but of a more intense, sensual variety. Ylang-ylang is associated with boosting confidence, to the extent that it has been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries.

Great examples of ylang-ylang based perfumes that will turn heads when you walk into a room include Frederic Malle Iris Poudre, Diptyque Do Son and Tom Ford Soleil Blanc.

Jasmine Fragrances

Another floral extract and another staple of dozens of perfumes, jasmine is one of the world’s most common cultivated flowers. It is widely used as a flavouring in food and beverages, especially in teas, baked goods and desserts, and in many parts of the world, jasmine oil is a popular skin product with excellent moisturising properties.

As a fragrance, jasmine has a long history of being used to relieve stress. Top-selling jasmine-based perfumes include Byredo Flowerhead, Gucci Bloom, Jo Malone Jasmine, Sambac and Marigold.

Sandalwood Fragrances

Sandalwood is one of those unmistakable scents that, once experienced, you never forget.  A staple of fragrance-making in Arabia for centuries, and also commonly used in incense for Hindu and Buddhist religious rituals, sandalwood is both exotic and sultry and at the same time warming and comforting, with a creamy, subtle spiciness to it.

In eastern traditions, sandalwood is said to help bring balance and harmony to the mind, and no one who has been enchanted by its rich, satisfying aroma would likely argue. Great examples of wearable sandalwood-based fragrances include La Labo Santal 33, Creed Original Santal, and Diptyque Tam Dao.

Cedarwood Fragrances

Cedarwood is an essential oil derived from conifer trees such as cedar and pine. It has a deep woody aroma that makes it popular as a base note in many fragrances, with hints of citrus, balsam and camphor adding complexity.

One of the active ingredients in cedarwood, cedrol, is known to have powerful mood-altering properties, acting as a mild sedative and stress reliever. If you want to walk around in a zen-like state of calm all day, check out the likes of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540, Byredo Super Cedar, Diptyque Orpheon and Kilian Straight to Heaven.

Ready to try some of these feel-good fragrances out? All of the products mentioned above can be ordered as fragrance samples for delivery straight to your door from Fragrance Samples UK. Low cost and convenient, it gives you the opportunity to discover the fragrances that have the best impact on your sense of well-being.